Biking is the new Golf - You Heard it from Wisconsin B&Bs

[caption id="attachment_1675" align="alignright" width="300"]Parkview B&B in Reedsburg Parkview B&B in Reedsburg[/caption] Are you more interested in wheeling along than walking along? You're not alone. Cycling is now being referred to as the new golf. Here in Wisconsin we have a great rails-to-trails bike system, 117 designated Rustic Roads spanning 669 miles through 59 counties,  plus lots of opportunities to log miles in state and county parks.  Wisconsin has some pretty awesome city cycling too. Take Madison, for example. They have a bike-share program, and commuter bike trails, with several connecting to excellent state trails, for those yearning for a longer-distance ride.  Of course, golf is pretty spectacular here too. The U.S. Open is coming to Wisconsin next year and that's after the state hosted the PGA last year.  We're so glad spring is here and we have a hunch we're not alone. Wisconsin is one of the top bicycling destinations in the U.S. and we're not making that up. Just ask the League of American Bicyclists - they are the ones doing the rankings. Old railroad beds converted to bike trails, including the famous Elroy-Sparta trail, have helped put Wisconsin on the national bike map in a big way. [caption id="attachment_1672" align="alignleft" width="300"]Grapevine Log Cabins in Sparta Grapevine Log Cabins in Sparta[/caption]     If you'd like to map out an extended weekend itinerary that allows you to bike during the day and pull in to B&Bs at dusk, consider one of your stops at Fountain Chateau B&B in Hustler.   The beautiful Omaha Bike Trail (originally the Omaha Railroad), connects right next door, where you can  bike all the way to the Elroy-Sparta Trail and the 400 State Park Trail. The Grapevine Log Cabins is almost within earshot of the Elroy-Sparta bike trail, a short 1 ½ miles, where it meets the La Crosse River Trail, and Justin Trails Resort tells their guests to make sure they don't miss the trail's 875' tunnel - it's awesome. [caption id="attachment_1674" align="alignright" width="300"]Justin Trails Resort in Sparta Justin Trails Resort in Sparta[/caption]             [caption id="attachment_1679" align="alignleft" width="300"]Pleasant View B&B in Chippewa Falls Pleasant View B&B in Chippewa Falls[/caption] Folks who visit Pleasant View B&B can access the Old Abe Bike Trail less than 1/2 mile away, one of 12 paved bike trails in Wisconsin, Another rail trail, Old Abe follows the Chippewa River from Chippewa Falls to Cornell, connecting Lake Wissota and Brunet Island state parks. A future addition will connect the trail with the Chippewa and Red Cedar state trails, creating a network of more than 70 miles of connected trails in the Chippewa Valley. Innkeepers who bike themselves include Heidi and Tom at the Buckingham Inn in Madison, so you'd be in great company at their B&B.  The inn provides free passes for Madison's city bike-share program for a quick ride to restaurants, the Capitol, and other Madison area attractions.   [caption id="attachment_1676" align="alignright" width="300"]Pedal'rs Inn B&B Pedal'rs Inn B&B[/caption]   We couldn't talk bicycling without mentioning the Pedal'rs Inn B&B in Wales, a bicycling inspired inn, where you can pick up the scenic Glacial Drumlin State Trail. Located just a short drive north of Milwaukee, is Hidden Serenity B&B in West Bend and the Eisenbahn, a "rails to trails" project, where you get the beauty of biking in the Kettle Moraine without the steep hills.  Many B&Bs offer relaxing massages at their inns, so inquire, just in case you need to pamper yourself after your day's ride. [caption id="attachment_1678" align="alignnone" width="300"]Hidden Serenity B&B Hidden Serenity B&B[/caption] We don't want to leave out the golfers, so here's a fun fact: There are three Hurdzan Fry-designed courses in Wisconsin and they're all public courses: Erin Hills, near Hartford, site of the 2017 U.S. Open, is just 6 miles from the Westphal Mansion Inn B&B, a restored 1913 mansion. [caption id="attachment_1669" align="alignright" width="250"]Bowman's Oak Hill B&B in Wis Dells Bowman's Oak Hill B&B in Wis Dells[/caption] Get in a few rounds before the pros descend next year; Wild Rock, the quarry course in Wisconsin Dells, chiseled around and through a former quarry, is for the golfer who embraces a challenge.  After a day on the course relax in this cottage nestled near the edge of the woods at Bowman's Oak Hill B&B; or Troy Burne, in Hudson, just 30 minutes from St. Paul and only 15 minutes from the premier Queen Anne Victorian Phipps Inn.  For more B&B options near these courses, just search by city on our website.   [caption id="attachment_1677" align="alignnone" width="280"]Phipps Inn in Hudson Phipps Inn in Hudson[/caption]

B&B Getaway Giveaway Week 7

Here’s a quick quiz: what do trout fishing, the American Birkebeiner, and a 36-mile view have in common?  All are found at B&Bs – showing that when we say ‘seek the unique’, we mean it! The stunning view from the pub and virtually all of the Inn at Wawanissee Point is both relaxing and a stimulation to explore – and perhaps motivation to ‘work off’ the gourmet breakfast.  A world away in a 20 minute drive from WI Dells.  And referencing the Dells, innkeeper Agnes says ‘when you’ve had enough stimulation’, head just 40 miles north to the Mecan River House (Coloma) – with a #1 trout fishing stream running along the length of the property.  Unwind on the deck, or search out antiques and hand-crafted Amish items at the nearby shops.  Heading further north to the Hayward / Birchwood area, the Cobblestone B&B is a destination in any season.  Of course, the Birkebeiner  x-c  trails are the winter draw (and just a few hundred miles of snowmobile trails too), more trail systems offer fat biking, mountain biking, hiking…”run, bike, ski” is the northwoods mantra.  Enter our Facebook contest to win a 2 night stay at Cobblestone B&B, Inn at Wawanisee Point, or Mecan River House http://a.pgtb.me/qVSz88 [caption id="attachment_1451" align="aligncenter" width="286"]Breakfast at the Cobblestone B&B, Birchwood, WI Breakfast at the Cobblestone B&B, Birchwood, WI[/caption] [caption id="attachment_1452" align="aligncenter" width="300"]The Pub at the Inn at Wawanissee, Baraboo, WI The Pub at the Inn at Wawanissee, Baraboo, WI[/caption] [caption id="attachment_1453" align="aligncenter" width="300"]Mecan River House TROUT FISHERMAN: you can walk right down to the MECAN RIVER which is a #1 trout fishing stream!  The MECAN RIVER runs length of the property, with many DNR, newly created holes for trout to gather!   Mecan River House TROUT FISHERMAN: you can walk right down to the MECAN RIVER which is a #1 trout fishing stream! The MECAN RIVER runs length of the property, with many DNR, newly created holes for trout to gather![/caption]  

The Wisconsin Governor's Tourism Stewardship Award goes to...

Congratulations to Steve and Nancy Sandstrom of Pinehurst Inn!  This past Monday at the Wisconsin Governor's Conference on Tourism held in Lake Geneva, Pinehurst Inn of Bayfield was awarded the Governor's Tourism Stewardship Award! "Pinehurst Inn is an 8 room B&B on Lake Superior, offering a magnificent natural environment that is enjoyed by visitors year round.  Pinehurst has a mission to be a premier eco-lodging facility, providing the highest level of green lodging hospitality and guest experience while preserving and promoting the unique historical and environmentally sensitive nature of the property and area. Pinehurst is committed to sustainability in all practices, serves as a model for other tourism businesses, and is a leader in the Wisconsin Travel Green Program.  A few of the sustainable initiatives Pinehurst practices includes using solar panels, organic and/or locally grown food, composting of all food and garden waste, providing guests with reusable stainless steel water bottles, and offering workshops and seminars to other business owners to learn about sustainable business.  The 'bottom line' at Pinehurst is a triple bottom-line, not only measuring business success with financial capital, but natural and social capital as well." [caption id="attachment_1426" align="aligncenter" width="133"]Pinehurst Inn Stewardship Award Pinehurst Inn Stewardship Award[/caption] [caption id="attachment_1427" align="aligncenter" width="158"]Wisconsin Governor's Conference on Tourism March 3, 2014 Wisconsin Governor's Conference on Tourism March 3, 2014[/caption] [caption id="attachment_1428" align="aligncenter" width="161"]Congratulations Steve and Nancy! Congratulations Steve and Nancy at the Pinehurst Inn![/caption]

Check Into Something Better

Here at the Wisconsin B&B Association, we find it mildly amusing that some hotels are offering “B&B Packages.” What’s that adage about imitation being the sincerest form of flattery? Well, we’re not falling for the flattery. Truth is, the breakfast you get at a B&B is homemade, often featuring local ingredients, and served to you. You needn't flip your own pancakes or try to figure out the toaster settings … or worse.  What if B&Bs offered a “Hotel Package”? ‘See why B&Bs are the Better Way to Stay … there, we got that off our chest!  

Fodor’s Names 10 Best Small Towns in America

  [caption id="attachment_1130" align="alignright" width="300"] Juniper Inn, Fish Creek.[/caption] This week Fodor’s unveiled its list of 10 Best Small Towns in America, saying “in a time when ‘authentic’ is a travel buzzword, these hamlets are attracting visitors with an often unexpected and surprisingly sophisticated array of independent and locally-minded offerings.” Door County was one of the 10, with a mention of Juniper Inn B&B in Fish Creek. Fodor’s lauds the peninsula for its beaches, boutique shops, working artist studios and, of course, fish boils and locally grown cherries.  We’ll add B&Bs to that list too!  
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